Scalable multi-bank memory architecture

ABSTRACT

According to one general aspect, a method may include, in one embodiment, grouping a plurality of at least single-ported memory banks together to substantially act as a single at least dual-ported aggregated memory element. In various embodiments, the method may also include controlling read access to the memory banks such that a read operation may occur from any memory bank in which data is stored. In some embodiments, the method may include controlling write access to the memory banks such that a write operation may occur to any memory bank which is not being accessed by a read operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/187,247, filed Jun. 15, 2009, titled “SCALABLE MULTI-BANK MEMORY ARCHITECTURE,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to storing information, and more specifically storing information within an aggregated memory element.

BACKGROUND

Random-access memory (RAM) is generally a form of computer or digital data storage. Often, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order (i.e., at random). The word “random” thus refers to the fact that any piece of data can be returned in a substantially constant time, regardless of its physical location and whether or not it is related to the previous piece of data.

Low power, high switch capacity solutions are of great value to the data center market. An optimal approach to realizing high performance systems is to use a shared memory architecture in which multiple resources (e.g., ingress and egress ports, etc.) use a memory element that is shared among them. Achieving a shared memory architecture with high scalability and lower power in today's silicon technology, with cost effective process, is particularly challenging.

One frequently used approach to a shared memory architecture is to simply operate a single bank of memory at very high speeds. This approach is limited the frequency constraints associated with available manufacturing processes. Dual-port solutions that aim to reduce the frequency result in increased consumption of silicon area. Multiple bank solutions that reduce the frequency constraints often suffer read conflict issues that result in underutilization of the memory bandwidth. In addition, balancing write operations evenly can be a challenge. Failing to do so can result in underutilization of memory resources and poor flow control implementations.

A single-ported RAM is a RAM that allows a single read or write operation (colloquially referred to as a “read” or “write”) at a time. As a result if a read is occurring at the same time a write is attempted, the write is required to wait until the read operation is completed. A dual-ported RAM (DPRAM) is a type of RAM that allows two reads or writes to occur at the same time, or nearly the same time. Likewise, multi-ported RAMs may allow multiple reads and/or writes at the same time.

Generally, a dual-ported RAM is twice the size and complexity of a single ported RAM. As the number of read/write ports or exclusively read or exclusively write ports increase, the size of the RAM linearly increases. As such, the size of the RAM quickly becomes a design problem. Therefore, as described above, a RAM with a small number of ports (e.g., a single-ported RAM) may be operated at a much higher frequency than the surrounding chip or system in order to effectively service multiple reads and writes during a single system clock cycle. Once again, there is generally a limit upon the frequency the RAM may be operated.

SUMMARY

A system and/or method for communicating information, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 b is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a series of block diagrams of an example embodiment of a system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 7 is two block diagrams of an example embodiments of systems in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example embodiment of a technique in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus 100 in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include a networking device configured to receive data or data packets from another network device (e.g., a source device, etc.) and transmit or forward the data or data packets to a third network device (e.g., a destination device, etc.); although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include a plurality of ingress ports 102 (e.g., ingress ports 102, 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c, etc.), an aggregated memory element 104, and a plurality of egress ports 110 (e.g., egress ports 110, 110 a, 110 b, and 110 c, etc.).

In various embodiments, the ingress ports 102 may be configured to receive data or packets of data from at least one other apparatus. In one embodiment, the other apparatuses may be other network devices that communicate information via a network of network devices. In another embodiment, the apparatus may not include ingress ports 102, but may include other elements that make use of the shared and aggregated memory element 104.

In various embodiments, the ingress ports 110 may be configured to transmit data or packets of data to at least one other apparatus. In one embodiment, the other apparatuses may be other network devices that communicate information via a network of network devices. In another embodiment, the apparatus may not include egress ports 110, but may include other elements that make use of the shared and aggregated memory element 104.

In various embodiments, as data is received by an ingress port 102, the data may be stored or written, either in whole or part, within the aggregated memory element 104. Subsequently, the egress ports 110 may retrieve or read this data from the aggregated memory element 104 before transmitting the information to the destination or intermediate network device.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include an aggregated memory element 104. In various embodiments, the aggregated memory element 104 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 106. In one embodiment, each memory bank 106 may include a single-ported memory element, such that a single read or write operation may occur to each memory bank 106 at a time. In various embodiments, the individual memory banks 106 may be arranged such that the aggregated memory element 104 as a whole operates or appears to be a multi-ported memory element that supports multiple substantially simulations read or write operations. In various embodiments, each individual memory bank 106 may include a RAM. Likewise, the aggregated memory element 104 may be configured to substantially act as a RAM.

In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element 104 may be configured to support a write operation to a first memory bank 106 at the same time a read operation is occurring via a second memory bank (illustrated in more detail in regards to FIGS. 3 & 4, etc.). In such an embodiment, the aggregated memory element 104 may be configured to substantially act as a dual-ported RAM. In such an embodiment, due to the single-ported nature of the individual memory banks 106, the aggregated memory element 104 may not be able to simultaneously read and write to/from the same memory bank 104 like a truly dual-ported RAM. Hence, the aggregated memory element's 104 ability to only substantially act as a dual-ported RAM. However, is another embodiment (a version of which is discussed in relation FIGS. 6 & 7), the aggregated memory element 106 may not include this operational limitation. It is understood that in this context the term “substantially” refers to the ability to operate either exactly like or very nearly like a dual or multi-ported RAM or memory element.

In various embodiments, access to the aggregated memory element 104 may be controlled in order to manage the storage of data within the aggregated memory element 104. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element 104 may be managed or controlled by a memory controller 107. In various embodiments, this memory controller 107 may be integrated into the aggregated memory element 104.

In various embodiments, as described below, the aggregated memory element 104 may be controlled such that read operations are given precedence or preference over write operations. In such an embodiment, read access to the memory banks may be managed or controlled such that a read operation, or multiple read operations may occur from any memory bank 106. And, in one embodiment, write access to the memory banks may be managed or controlled such that a write operation, or multiple write operations may occur to any memory bank which is not being accessed by a read operation.

In various embodiments, in order to properly control the aggregated memory element 104, a table or other scoreboarding component (e.g., data storage table 108) may be used or employed to indicate which data chunk or packet is stored in which individual memory bank 106. In such an embodiment, before a memory access (e.g., a read or a write operation) is attempted, the data storage table 108 may be consulted to determine which individual memory bank 106 will be accessed. In one embodiment, if two memory operations wish to occur simultaneously or in an overlapping fashion (for embodiments in which a memory operation takes more than one clock cycle), the data storage table 108 may be used or employed to determine if the memory operations will occur or utilize the same memory bank 106. If so, special handling conditions may be invoked. In one embodiment, this may involve delaying one of the memory operations, using an overflow memory bank, using a write buffer, etc.; although, it is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 100 may include a multiplexing component 112 configured to control, at least partially, access to the aggregated memory element 104 by the plurality of ingress ports 102. Likewise, in one embodiment, the apparatus 100 may include a demultiplexing element 114 configured to control, at least partially, access to the aggregated memory element 104 by the plurality of egress ports 110.

In a preferred embodiment, the individual memory banks 106 may include single-ported memory elements or RAMs. Although, in various embodiments, the individual memory banks 106 may include multi-ported memory elements or RAMs. In some embodiments, the aggregated memory element 104 may include a number of heterogeneous memory banks 106 or a number of homogeneous memory banks 106. While a dual-ported aggregated memory element 104 is illustrated and described in which one read operation and one write operation may occur simultaneously, other embodiments may include aggregated memory elements with different port configurations. For example, the aggregated memory element 104 may include a dual-ported memory element in which two memory operations (e.g., two reads, two writes, one read and one write, etc.) may occur substantially simultaneously. In another embodiment, the aggregated memory element 104 may include more than two ports (e.g., multiple reads, multiple writes, a combination thereof, etc.). In yet another embodiment, aggregated memory element 104 may include an asymmetrical read/write port configuration. It is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In one embodiment, access to the aggregated memory element may be time division multiplexed (TDM). In various embodiments, time division multiplexing is a technique in which a plurality of user resources is given access to a shared resourced based upon time slots (e.g., the infamous time-share beach condo).

Access pattern 202 illustrates an embodiment, in which eight read ports (e.g., egress ports) and 8 write ports (e.g., ingress ports) are given access to a single ported memory bank. In such an embodiment, a given time period is divided into sixteen segments. Each input/output (IO) port is given one segment (one-sixteenth of the total time period) to perform the IO port's operation. As described above, in order to increase the amount of access to the memory element, it is often necessary to shorten the overall time period (and hence shorten the individual access segments), thus increasing the operational frequency of the memory element.

It is understood that the use of the term “ports” at both the apparatus level (e.g., ingress port, egress port) and at the memory element or bank level (e.g., single-ported, read port, write port, etc.) may be confusing. While attempts to make clear which port or level of ports is being discussed in any sentence, the reader should be aware that the art dictates that the term “port” may be used in two slightly different contexts.

Access pattern 204 illustrates an embodiment in which the same 16 IO ports may access a memory element or bank, if the memory element or bank is dual-ported (e.g., a read port and a write port). Likewise, a time period is divided amongst 16 access operations (8 read operations and 8 write operations). However, as the memory element may facilitate 2 memory operations per time segment, only 8 time segments need to be used. In one embodiment, this may result in reducing the operating frequency by half, such that each time segment would be twice as long as those in access pattern 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the time period of each time segment remains the same as in access pattern 202, but the overall time period is cut in half (illustrated by the TDM Slot Savings 206). In such an embodiment, the access pattern 204 may occur twice in the same amount of time it takes to perform access pattern 202, but at the same operational frequency.

FIG. 2 b illustrates another embodiment, in which the access pattern 204 b may occur once in the same amount of time it takes to perform access pattern 202, but at a lower (e.g., halved) operational frequency. In such an embodiment, less advanced or lower frequency memory banks or elements may be utilized within a system. It is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In various embodiments, the system or apparatus may include aggregated memory element 300. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element (AME) 300 may be dual-ported; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In such an embodiment, the AME 300 may include a write port 302 and a read port 304. In various embodiments, the AME 300 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 306 (e.g., memory bank 306 a, memory bank 306 b, memory bank 306 c, memory bank 306 d, etc.). In various embodiments, each of the memory banks 306 may be single ported.

In various embodiments, the memory banks 106 may include a plurality of memory words, slots or areas 308 each configured to store one piece of data. In various embodiments, these memory words, slots or areas 308 may be configured to be of different sizes depending on the embodiment (e.g., 1 byte, 36-bits, 64-bits, etc.). In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 7, memory words 308 that do not have data stored within them are illustrated by a white or clear background, and used memory words 308 that do have data stored within them are illustrated by a grayed or cross-hatched background.

In various embodiments, various techniques may be employed to control access to the individual memory banks 306. In some embodiments, these techniques may optimize or increase the dual-ported nature or emulation of the AME 300. In various embodiments, these techniques may be employed to increase the number of memory operations that may be accommodated by the AME 300 without increasing the operating frequency of the AME 300.

In one embodiment, read operations may be given preference over write operations. For example, in an embodiment that includes a dual-ported AME 300 comprising a plurality of single-ported memory banks 306, a read and write operation may not occur to the same memory bank at the same time. In such an embodiment, if both a read operation and a write operation wish to access a memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a), the AME 300 may block the write operation from occurring. In another embodiment, the AME 300 may redirect the write operation to another memory bank (e.g., memory bank 30 b).

In various embodiments, write operations may be controlled such that data may be consolidated within a minimum number of memory banks. In such an embodiment, a first write operation may store data within a first memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a). Subsequent write operations may store data within the first memory bank, until either the memory bank is full or until a read operation also wishes to use the memory bank. In such an embodiment, a write operation may be directed to a second memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 b). In various embodiments, if the write operation was moved due to a read operation, subsequent write operations may occur to the first memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a). In another embodiment, if the write operation was moved due to the first memory bank being full, if a read operation removes data from the first memory bank such that the first memory bank is no longer full, future write operations may return to the first memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a).

In one embodiment, write operations may be controlled such that data may be striped across multiple memory banks. In such an embodiment, the number of memory banks 306 utilized may be maximized. This may, in one embodiment, lead to an increased likelihood that a read operation may not conflict, or attempt to use the same memory bank 306 as a simultaneously occurring write operation. In such an embodiment, a first write operation may occur to memory bank 106 a. A second write operation may occur to memory bank 106 b. A third write operation may occur to memory bank 106 c. A fourth write operation may occur to memory bank 106 d. A fifth write operation may occur to memory bank 106 a, and the process may repeat itself. In some embodiments, in which parallel reads are possible, striping may lead to an increased likelihood that multiple read operations may be successfully performed. In such an embodiment, the overall read throughput of the system may be increased.

In one embodiment, other techniques may be employed to store data or to control write or read operations. For example, in one embodiment, data may be striped across a number of memory banks (e.g., memory banks 306 a and 306 b), and as the memory banks fill-up or are blocked due to read operations, more memory banks (e.g., memory bank 306 c) may be added to the stripping array. In such an embodiment, a combination of the consolidated and striped techniques described above may be employed. It is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In various embodiments, the system or apparatus may include aggregated memory element 400. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element (AME) 400 may be dual-ported; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In such an embodiment, the AME 400 may include a write port 302 and a read port 304. In various embodiments, the AME 400 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 306 (e.g., memory bank 306 a, memory bank 306 b, memory bank 306 c, memory bank 306 d, etc.). In various embodiments, each of the memory banks 306 may be single ported.

In one embodiment, a read operation 402 (illustrated by the removal of a data word) and a write operation 404 (illustrated by the addition of a data word) may attempt to make use of the same memory bank 306 c. In such an embodiment, if the memory bank 306 a is single-ported memory, two memory operations may not occur simultaneously. In such an embodiment, either the write operation 404 or the read operation 402 would have to be blocked, as the less preferred memory operation accesses the memory bank 306 c.

Alternatively, the write operation 404 may be moved from the preferred memory bank 306 c to an alternate memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a, 306 b, or 306 d in FIG. 3). However, as illustrated by FIG. 4, it is possible that all of the alternative memory banks may be full and unable to accept the write operation 404. In various embodiments, an overflow memory bank or banks 306 e may be employed. In such an embodiment, the write operation 404 may be moved from the preferred memory bank 306 c to the overflow memory bank 306 e.

In various embodiments, the plurality of memory banks (memory banks 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, and 306 d) may include a first amount of storage space. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the AME 400 may be comprised of four 1 megabyte (MB) memory banks 306, totaling 4 MB of storage capacity. In one embodiment, the overflow memory may include a second amount of storage capacity, for example, another 1 MB memory bank 306 e. In such an embodiment, the total amount of memory capacity of the AME 400 may be 5 MB or the sum of the first and second storage capacities.

However, in various embodiments, the AME 400 may be controlled to only allow the first amount of storage capacity (e.g., 4 MB) to be utilized between all the memory banks including the overflow memory bank(s) (e.g., memory banks 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, 306 d, and 306 e). In such an embodiment, it may not be possible or highly unlikely that every memory bank 306 will be filled. Therefore, there may always be an available memory bank capable of fulfilling a write operation, even if a read operation is occurring.

In such an embodiment, the AME 400 may be controlled to allow a total storage capacity between the first and second amounts of storage to be utilized. It is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In various embodiments, the system or apparatus may include aggregated memory element 500. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element (AME) 500 may be multi-ported, including 2 read ports and 2 write ports; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In such an embodiment, the AME 500 may include write ports 302 and read ports 304. In various embodiments, the AME 500 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 306 (e.g., memory bank 306 a, memory bank 306 b, memory bank 306 c, memory bank 306 d, etc.) and a plurality of overflow memory banks (e.g., memory banks 306 e and 306 f). In various embodiments, each of the memory banks 306 may be single ported.

FIG. 5 illustrates that, in some embodiments, multiple overflow memory banks (e.g., memory banks 306 e and 306 f) may be employed. In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates that overflow memory banks may also be useful in systems that include multi-ported read operations in which multiple memory banks may be unusable for write operations (if read operations are given preference in the system).

In one embodiment, again read operation 402 and write operation 404 may attempt to access the same memory bank 306 c. In addition, a read operation 502 may access memory bank 306 a. In such an embodiment, memory banks 306 a, 306 b, and 306 c may be full. As described above, in one embodiment, the write operation 404 may be moved or re-located to the overflow memory bank 306 e. T

The write operation 504 may be prevented from storing data in memory banks 306 a, 306 b, or 306 d because they are currently full. In addition, the write operation 504 may be prevented from storing data in memory bank 306 a (due to read operation 502), memory bank 306 c (due to read operation 402) and memory bank 306 e (due to write operation 404). In such an embodiment, the write operation 504 may store its data within overflow memory bank 306 g.

In one embodiment, an overflow memory bank may be embodied as a dual or multi-write ported memory bank. In such an embodiment, multiple write operations may simultaneously occur to the overflow memory bank and the need or storage capacity of multiple memory banks may be reduced.

In another embodiment, the overflow memory bank may be conceptual or virtual. In one such embodiment, each or a sub-portion of the plurality of memory banks 306 may include storage capacity that increases the total storage capacity of the AME 500 beyond the first amount of storage capacity, as described above. For example, four 1.5 MB memory banks 306 may be aggregated to form an AME 400 having a useable storage capacity of 4 MB, but a total actual storage capacity of 6 MB. FIG. 7 may be viewed as illustrating an embodiment with a virtual overflow memory bank in which elements 708 a, 708 b, 708 c, 708 c, 708 d, and 708 e may be viewed as the additional storage capacity or words that may comprise the virtual overflow memory bank. Described below, FIG. 7 also illustrates a different embodiment of an aggregated memory element.

FIG. 6 is a series of block diagrams of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In one embodiment, the system or apparatus of FIG. 6 a may include a multi-ported aggregated memory element (AME). In such an embodiment, the AME may be capable of performing several write operations at once (e.g., including four write ports) but only one or a few read operations at once (e.g., dual read-ported). In such an embodiment, the AME may also include five memory banks; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited and that in general the AME may include any number of memory banks (e.g., N banks)

Access pattern 602 illustrates one embodiment in which access to the AME has been time division multiplexed (TDM) between eight ingress ports and eight egress ports. The eight ingress ports may generate up to eight write operations per TDM period or window. Likewise, the eight egress ports may be allowed to generate up to eight read operations per TDM window.

In one embodiment, the write operations may be consolidated into two of the eight possible TDM slots or time segments. In one embodiment, in which the AME comprises a plurality of single ported memory banks, a read operation may occur simultaneously with the consolidated write operation if the read operation is not accessing a memory bank accessed by the write operation, or vice versa. For example, if a read operation is occurring to memory bank 5, write operations may occur to memory banks 1, 2, 3, and 4.

In such an embodiment, the consolidated simultaneous write operations may leave six TDM slots or time segments empty or unused. In such an embodiment, leaving such a valuable resource (TDM slots or segments) unused may be undesirable.

In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element may be part of a larger apparatus or system that employed a pipelined architecture. In one such embodiment, the read operations may be substantially deterministic or predictable. Such a result may occur in other embodiments of architectures.

In various embodiments, the pipelined read operations may be re-arranged. For example, access pattern 604 illustrates that some read operations may be moved forward into the first or an earlier TDM window. In such an embodiment, six TDM slots or time segments may be freed during the subsequent TDM window. These freed TDM slots or time segments may be made available for other read or write operations.

In one embodiment, the system or apparatus of FIG. 6 b may include a dual-ported aggregated memory element (AME). In such an embodiment, the AME may be capable of performing two memory operations at once. In such an embodiment, the AME may also include five memory banks

Access pattern 606 illustrates that, in one embodiment, a number of TDM slots or time segments (illustrated by TDM slots 609) may include conflicting read and write operations that attempt or desire to access the same memory bank (e.g., memory banks 2, 3, and 5). In various embodiments, as described above, such conflicts may result in a blocked write operation or a write to an overflow memory bank.

Access pattern 608 illustrates that, in various embodiments, pipelined read operations may be re-arranged within a TDM window to avoid conflicts created by read operations and write operations associated with the same memory bank. As described above, in a dual-ported AME embodiment, a read operation and a write operation to the same memory bank may be scheduled for the same TDM slot or time segment. In such an embodiment, the apparatus may re-arrange the timing of read operation such that the read operation and write operation occur in different TDM slots or time segments. Re-arrangement 610 illustrates re-arranging read operations within a single TDM window. Re-arrangement 612 illustrates re-arranging read operations across multiple TDM windows.

It is understood that a similar re-arrangement technique may be used or employed with pipelined write operations. It is also understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include the aggregated memory element 700. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element (AME) 700 may be multi-ported, including at least 1 read port and several write ports; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In such an embodiment, the AME 700 may include write ports 302 and read ports 304. In various embodiments, the AME 700 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 306 (e.g., memory bank 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, 306 d, and 306 e, etc.). In various embodiments, one or more of the memory banks 306 may be an overflow memory bank (e.g., memory banks 306 e). In various embodiments, each of the memory banks 306 may be single ported.

As described above, in various embodiments, FIG. 7 may be used to illustrate an AME that includes a virtual overflow buffer created from the additional memory words 708 a, 708 b, 708 c, 708 d, and 708 e. In addition, in various embodiments, FIG. 7 may be used to illustrate an AME that includes a plurality of write buffers 708 (e.g., write buffers 708 a, 708 b, 708 c, and 708 e) that are configured to temporarily store or cache the data from write operations such that the data may be written to the memory banks 306 at a later time or TDM slot.

In one embodiment, when a write and a read operation both try to access the same memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a). As described above, due to the single-ported nature of the memory bank 306 a, multiple memory operations may not be permitted, in various embodiments. As described above, in some embodiments, this may result in writing data to an overflow memory bank or re-arranging one of the memory operations; although, it is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

However, in the illustrated embodiment, the data from the write operation may be written to the write buffer 708 a. This data may then be committed or written to the memory bank 306 a during a later TDM slot or time segment when the memory bank 306 a is not being accessed. In various embodiments, this committal or clearing of the write buffer 708 a may occur without affecting the TDM scheduling or the ability to write data via the AME's 700 write port 302.

In such an embodiment, from the exterior of the AME 700, the AME 700 may appear to be fully dual-ported, but internally the AME 700 may delay a write operation to accommodate the single-ported nature of the memory bank 306 a. In various embodiments, this may result in two or more write operations occurring to multiple memory banks 306 simultaneously. For example, buffered data may be written to a first memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 a) as unbuffered data is written to a second memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 c) as a result of a TDM scheduled write operation; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited.

In various embodiments, the write buffers 708 may be configured to allow multiple simultaneous write operations to the AME 700, for example, as illustrated by FIG. 6 a. In some embodiments, the write buffers 708 may be configured to allow write operations to occur to the AME 700 as substantially any time. As the various write operations are received by the AME 700, the write data may be cached within the write buffers 708, regardless of which memory banks 306 are currently being accessed by any read operations. In such an embodiment, when a read operation is not occurring on a memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 b) the respective write buffer (e.g., write buffer 708 b) may opportunistically perform a write operation to the memory bank (e.g., memory bank 306 b) by transferring data from the write buffer to the memory bank. In various embodiments, if the number of read ports 304 on AME 700 is less than the number of memory banks 306 (e.g., dual read-ported AME 700 with 5 memory banks 306), a number of write buffers 708 may write their buffered data in parallel to their respective unused or read operation-free memory banks 306.

FIG. 7 b is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a system or apparatus in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include the aggregated memory element 701. In one embodiment, the aggregated memory element (AME) 701 may be multi-ported, including at least 1 write port and several read ports; although, it is understood that the above is merely one illustrative example to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. In such an embodiment, the AME 700 may include write port(s) 302 and read port(s) 304. In various embodiments, the AME 700 may include a plurality of individual memory banks 306 (e.g., memory bank 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, 306 d, and 306 e, etc.). In various embodiments, one or more of the memory banks 306 may be an overflow memory bank (e.g., memory banks 306 e). In various embodiments, each of the memory banks 306 may be single ported.

In various embodiments, FIG. 7 b may be used to illustrate an AME that includes a virtual overflow buffer created from the additional memory words 709 a, 709 b, 709 c, 709 d, and 709 e. In addition, in various embodiments, FIG. 7 b may be used to illustrate an AME that includes a plurality of read buffers 709 (e.g., read buffers 709 a, 709 b, 709 c, and 709 e) that are configured to temporarily store or cache the data for read operations such that the data may be read from the memory banks 306 at a later time or TDM slot. In some embodiments, multiple read buffers 709 may facilitate parallel read requests to be queued across several memory banks 306 while supporting bursting behavior for write operations.

In various embodiments, the AMEs 700 and 701 may be combined to produce an AME with both read and write buffers 708 and 709, such that parallel read and/or write operations may be performed. In such an embodiment, the AME or at least a portion thereof may be controlled to facilitate such parallel operations.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example embodiment of a technique in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. In various embodiments, the technique 800 may be used or produced by the systems such as those of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7. Furthermore, portions of technique 800 may be used or produced by the systems such as that of FIG. 2 or 6. Although, it is understood that the above are merely a few illustrative examples to which the disclosed subject matter is not limited. It is understood that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the ordering of or number of actions illustrated by technique 800.

Block 802 illustrates that, in one embodiment, a plurality of individual memory banks may be grouped together to substantially act as a single aggregated memory element, as described above. In various embodiments, the individual memory banks may be single ported, as described above. In some embodiments, the aggregated memory element may be dual-ported, as described above.

In various embodiments, grouping may include aggregating together the individual memory banks and at least one overflow memory bank, as described above. In some embodiments, the plurality of memory banks may include a first amount of storage capacity, and the overflow memory banks may include a second amount of storage capacity, as described above. In one embodiment, the second amount of storage capacity may be less than the first amount of storage capacity, as described above. In various embodiments, the aggregated memory bank includes the sum of the first and second amounts of storage capacity, as described above. In various embodiments, the aggregated memory device may be controlled such that only an amount of storage capacity equal to the first amount of storage capacity may be utilized between the plurality of memory banks and the overflow memory bank, as described above.

In various embodiments, one or more of the action(s) illustrated by this Block may be performed by the apparatuses or components of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, or the aggregated memory elements of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, as described above.

Block 804 illustrates that, in one embodiment, access to the aggregated memory element may be time division multiplexed between a plurality of ingress ports and a plurality of egress ports, as described above. In some embodiments, in which parallel reads and/or writes are supported access to the aggregated memory element may be controlled. In various embodiments, time division multiplexing may include re-arranging pipelined read operations to avoid conflicts created by read operations and write operations associated with the same memory bank, as described above. In various embodiments, one or more of the action(s) illustrated by this Block may be performed by the apparatuses or components of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, the memory controller 107, ingress ports 102, or the egress ports 110 of FIG. 1, or produce the access patterns of FIG. 2 or 6, as described above.

Block 806 illustrates that, in one embodiment, read access to the memory banks may be controlled such that a read operation may occur from any memory bank, as described above. In one embodiment, controlling read access may include re-arranging pipelined read operations to avoid conflicts created by read operations and write operations associated with the same memory bank, as described above.

In one embodiment, controlling read access may include maintaining a table indicating which memory bank a piece of data has been written to, as described above. In various embodiments, controlling read access may also include receiving a read operation that is associated with a respective piece of data that has been written to the memory element, as described above. In such an embodiment, controlling read access may include determining which memory bank include the piece of data associated with the read operation, as described above. In some embodiments, controlling read access may include reading the piece of data from the determined memory bank, as described above.

In various embodiments, one or more of the action(s) illustrated by this Block may be performed by the apparatuses or components of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, the aggregated memory elements of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, or the memory controller 107, or the data storage table 108 of FIG. 1, as described above.

Block 808 illustrates that, in one embodiment, write access to the memory banks may be controlled such that a write operation may occur to any memory bank which is not being accessed by a read operation, as described above. In various embodiments, controlling write access may include selecting which memory bank to write data to, as described above. In one embodiment, controlling write access may include striping data written by write operations across the memory banks, as described above.

In another embodiment, controlling write access may include selecting which memory bank to write data to, wherein selecting includes, in a predefined sequence, determining if a memory bank is currently being accessed by either a read or write operation, as described above. In various embodiments, if the memory bank is not being accessed by a read or write operation, determining if the memory bank is full, as described above. In some embodiments, if the memory bank is not full, selecting the memory bank to write data to, as described above. In one embodiment, otherwise, selecting a different memory bank, as described above. In various embodiments, selecting a different memory bank may include performing the series of determinations upon the next memory bank in the predefined sequence, as described above.

In yet another embodiment, controlling write access may include storing data associated with a plurality of write operations in a plurality of write buffers, wherein each write buffer is associated with a respective memory bank, as described above. In various embodiments, controlling write access may include writing in parallel the buffered data to the associated memory banks, as described above.

In various embodiments, one or more of the action(s) illustrated by this Block may be performed by the apparatuses or components of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, the aggregated memory elements of FIG. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 7, the memory controller 107, or the data storage table 108 of FIG. 1, the overflow memory banks 306 e and 306 f of FIG. 4 or 5, or the write buffers 708 of FIG. 7, as described above.

It is understood that while many of the above embodiments have illustrated or included single-ported memory banks, the disclosed subject matter is not so limited. In some embodiments, the plurality of memory banks may be dual-ported or even multi-ported. In various embodiments, the plurality of memory banks may be heterogeneous, or, in another embodiment, homogeneous. Further, as described above, the aggregated memory element may include multi-ports, in various embodiments.

Implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations may be implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in special purpose logic circuitry.

To provide for interaction with a user, implementations may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

Implementations may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.

While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the embodiments. 

1. A method comprising: grouping a plurality of at least single-ported memory banks together to substantially act as a single at least dual-ported aggregated memory element; controlling read access to the memory banks such that a read operation may occur from any memory bank in which data is stored; and controlling write access to the memory banks such that a write operation may occur to any memory bank which is not being accessed by a read operation.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein grouping includes: providing an overflow memory bank configured to be written to when a write operation is not allowed to the plurality of memory banks.
 3. The method of claim 1, further including: time division multiplexing access to the aggregated memory element by a plurality of ingress ports and a plurality of egress ports.
 4. The method of claim 1, further including: controlling access to the aggregated memory element such that a plurality of read and/or write operations may occur in parallel.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling write access includes: selecting which memory bank to write data to, wherein selecting includes, in a predefined sequence of the plurality of memory banks: determining if a current memory bank is currently being accessed by either a read or write operation; if the current memory bank is not being accessed by a read or write operation, determining if the memory bank is full; if the current memory bank is not full, selecting the memory bank to write data to; and otherwise, selecting a different memory bank.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling write access includes: striping data written by write operations across the memory banks.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling read access includes: maintaining a table indicating which memory bank a piece of data has been written to, receiving a read operation that is associated with a respective piece of data that has been written to the memory element, determining which memory bank include the piece of data associated with the read operation, and reading the piece of data from the determined memory bank.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling write access includes: storing data associated with a plurality of write operations in a plurality of write buffers, wherein each write buffer is associated with a respective memory bank; and writing in parallel the buffered data to the associated memory banks.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling read access includes: re-arranging pipelined read operations to avoid conflicts created by read operations and write operations associated with the same memory bank.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein grouping includes: aggregating together the plurality of memory banks having a first amount of storage capacity, and at least one overflow memory bank having a second amount of storage capacity that is smaller than the first amount of storage capacity; and wherein the aggregated memory element includes an aggregated memory capacity equal to the sum of the first and second memory capacities, and wherein the aggregated memory element is controlled to only allow an amount of storage capacity equal to the first amount of storage capacity to be utilized between the plurality of memory banks and the overflow memory bank.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of ingress ports configured to receive data from at least one other apparatus; an aggregated memory element configured to store at least part of the data received from the at least one other apparatus, wherein the aggregated memory element includes a plurality of at least single-ported memory banks arranged to substantially act as a single at least dual-ported aggregated memory element; and a plurality of egress ports configured to transmit data to at least one other apparatus.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein aggregated memory element includes: an overflow memory bank configured to be written to when a write operation is not allowed to the plurality of memory banks.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further including: a memory controller configured to time division multiplex access to the aggregated memory element by the plurality of ingress ports and the plurality of egress ports.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory controller configured to: select which memory bank to write data to, wherein selecting includes, in a predefined sequence of the plurality of memory banks: determining if a current memory bank is currently being accessed by either a read or write operation; if the current memory bank is not being accessed by a read or write operation, determining if the memory bank is full; if the current memory bank is not full, selecting the memory bank to write data to; and otherwise, selecting a different memory bank.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory controller configured to: maintain a table indicating which memory bank a piece of data has been written to; receive a read operation that is associated with a respective piece of data that has been written to the aggregated memory element; determine which memory bank include the piece of data associated with the read operation; and read the piece of data from the determined memory bank.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory controller configured to: control write access by: storing data associated with a plurality of write operations in a plurality of write buffers, wherein each write buffer is associated with a respective memory bank; and writing in parallel the buffered data to the associated memory banks.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory controller configured to: control read access by: queuing parallel read operations across a plurality of memory banks memory banks; reading data from the respective memory banks into a plurality of read buffers, wherein each read buffer is associated with a respective memory bank.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, further including a memory controller configured to: re-arrange pipelined read operations to avoid conflicts created by read operations and write operations associated with the same memory bank.
 19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the aggregated memory element includes: the plurality of memory banks having a first amount of storage capacity, and at least one overflow memory bank having a second amount of storage capacity that is smaller than the first amount of storage capacity; and wherein the aggregated memory element includes an aggregated memory capacity equal to the sum of the first and second memory capacities, and wherein the aggregated memory element is controlled to only allow a first amount of storage capacity to be utilized between the plurality of memory banks and the overflow memory bank.
 20. A computer program product for storing information, the computer program product being tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium and including executable code that, when executed, is configured to cause a networking apparatus to: aggregate a plurality of at least single-ported memory banks together to substantially act as a single at least dual-ported aggregated memory element; control read access to the memory banks such that a read operation may occur from any memory bank in which data is stored; and control write access to the memory banks such that a write operation may occur to any memory bank which is not being accessed by a read operation. 